02.08.07
Posted in Blogs / Sites at 11:36 am by jon yang
There’s this thing: it’s like, basically t-shirts, but so much more. It’s about clothing, it’s about shoes, it’s about gear, it’s about style with substance, or just style. It’s about having the first before anyone else gets it. It’s underground, but also right in your face. The New York Times covered it in their The Brand Underground article; Theme Magazine has a nice spread on it — the X-Pollination of Streetwear.
It’s creeping into the mainstream but the “movement” as it were, is being documented and pushed along by blogs. That’s right, blogs. Check it out at Hypebeast, High Snobiety, Jeff Staple, or Mr Kim Says. Or any of the other inter-connected blogs that let you into a world of streetwear.
“This might seem strange, since most of us think of branding as a thoroughly mainstream practice: huge companies buying advertising time during the Super Bowl to shout their trademarked names at us is pretty much the opposite of authentic or edgy expression.
But branding is more complicated than that. It is really a process of attaching an idea to a product. Decades ago that idea might have been strictly utilitarian: trustworthy, effective, a bargain. Over time, the ideas attached to products have become more elaborate, ambitious and even emotional.
This is why, for example, current branding campaigns for beer or fast food often seem to be making some sort of statement about the nature of contemporary manhood. If a product is successfully tied to an idea, branding persuades people — consciously or not — to consume the idea by consuming the product.
Even companies like Apple and Nike, while celebrated for the tangible attributes of their products, work hard to associate themselves with abstract notions of nonconformity or achievement. A potent brand becomes a form of identity in shorthand.”
-The Brand Underground-
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02.06.07
Posted in Blogs / Sites at 12:12 pm by jon yang
I tried to keep a running diary while watching the Super Bowl. I couldn’t do it. It got too hectic. What with an opening kickoff return for a touchdown, turnovers galore, and the general excitement of the game (not to mention no down time due to the “must-see” commercials). I gave it up just a few minutes into the second quarter. Trying to balance and protect my laptop amid screams and cheers got too difficult.
Doing a running diary is not as easy as it looks apparently. You try coming up with coherent thoughts a mile a minute and then posting everything in real time. Well, where I fail is yet another opportunity for someone else to succeed. Nice attitude right? My ancestors would have discovered gravity but we figured we’d let Ike do it.
Anyway, here’s the “Official CBS SportsLine.com Super Bowl Blog.” Yes, the game is over, but the memories will never recede. Re-live Peyton’s big moment and see how your experience matched up with Gregg Doyel’s.
Additionally, here’s an article about Will Leitch of Deadspin - a smart and snarky sports blog.
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01.26.07
Posted in Blogs / Sites at 6:52 pm by jon yang
Genghis Mendoza has chosen to use his blog to share his experiences being a caregiver for his father, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s when he was only 55. The blog serves not only as a repository for Mendoza’s memories and experiences but also provides him with an outlet for the days when things just don’t make sense.
Don is a nonagenarian (90+) blogger who is sharing with us his musings on life — and death — in Don To Earth.
My friend Eric Galvez has started a blog — and published a book — about his experience undergoing surgery for removal of a brain tumor. As a physical therapist, he has a unique view of the experience and is well on his way to full recovery. His energy, passion, and fight for life will impress and overwhelm you and the soundtrack to his book will pump you up, guaranteed!
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01.19.07
Posted in Blogs / Sites at 10:28 am by jon yang
This is just fabulous: Running from Camera.
Muggezifter puts his camera on self-timer for two seconds, pushes the button, and then tries to run as far away from his camera as possible before it goes off. He blogs the results for our enjoyment. It’s strangely compelling isn’t it?
I wonder if he’ll be able to increase his distance eventually, that would be exciting.
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12.19.06
Posted in Blogs / Sites, Book Related at 3:35 pm by jon yang
This is what blogs are for! A whole blog dedicated to reviewing and showcasing book covers. Nifty covers will definitely catch a browser’s attention so it’s important to have something that sets your book apart from the crowd. As they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” But really, who doesn’t? A great cover can really make your time spent with a book feel more impressive, or cool, or embarassing.
I mean, try carrying this thing around and maintaining the “No, this is not chick-lit” image up. During our book club reading of this particular book, someone mentioned that they had this exact problem and would have to flash the title just to make sure people knew she was reading a “real book.” These are the kinds of stories that book covers should generate. We all know that little details like knowing when to flash, or not flash, a book cover as you ride the subway or sit in a Starbucks can make or break a stranger’s first impression of you. Right?
Plus, an awesome cover can generate added excitement on your book shelf. Just as if you were to line up your best DVDs, stuffed animals, or porcelain figurines impressive-side out, you would do the same to your books right? I mean, doesn’t everyone do that?
You only have one chance for an acquaintance to check out your stuff, make it count. Make sure you get them to ask “So, what is that book with the Eskimo with a laptop on the cover?! Intriguing… Oooh, pink, I love it!”
The most exciting thing about this list of Best Book Covers 2006 is that I’ve actually read (and own) the first cover on the list. I’m so now-tro.
There’s also quite a bit to be said for the tactile qualities of a book cover, but I’ll get into that some other time.
While we’re at it, a few more interesting things to look at:
(1) Amazon Sales Rankings explained (2) .
(2) Guardian Unlimited Book’s Top Ten Literary Blogs
(3) Plug Your Book: a really great book selling and online book marketing blog.
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12.06.06
Posted in Blogs / Sites at 4:38 pm by jon yang
Rex takes time out of his life to give us his list of the Best Blogs of 2006 that You (Maybe) Aren’t Reading. It’s quite an extensive list and he’s been doing this great feature for the past few years. This year’s list numbers 30 and includes a few blogs that I personally love, including tcritic.com and the IFC’s movie blog.
It’s wonderful what Rex, or “Fimoculous” does, giving us a list (and capsule review) of blogs that might be flying under the radar. Sharing is caring. Thanks man!
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11.07.06
Posted in Blogs / Sites at 2:53 pm by jon yang
What are blogs great for? They can give a voice to a niche that is rarely given any mainstream attention. If you love baord games like me, you’re gonna love “The Journal of Board Game Design” and “Gone Gaming.” Both are (super) in-depth examinations of board games and will bring to light exactly what you’re doing when you’re rolling that dice or drawing a card. Unless you’re in Vegas, in which case you’re probably only losing money.
And when I say “board game” I’m not referring to games like Monopoly or Chutes-n-Ladders. Just because a game requires a board to play does not mean that it’s a board game. There’s a huge world of difference between games played for fun, and games played for fun and strategy/tactics.
Get serious, get in the game.
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There’s this thing: it’s like, basically t-shirts, but so much more. It’s about clothing, it’s about shoes, it’s about gear, it’s about style with substance, or just style. It’s about having the first before anyone else gets it. It’s underground, but also right in your face. The New York Times covered it in their The Brand Underground article; Theme Magazine has a nice spread on it — the X-Pollination of Streetwear.